#odyssey

And so the Kestrel flies... it has beenn sometime since the Chieftain used it so! Her hair flutters

And below... the Darkgate forces and Silver Wolf group ride

Oh, this is exhilarating...but it's also serious business. She steers the ship towards the cabin where the hunters have gathered.

Mounts offered to the riders from Dark Gate - or they go on foot, except for Calanthe... and Nadeen, if she chooses... if the Dark Gate troops prefer to march.

Sylvi gladly takes the opportunity to ride. Oh, it would be great to ride Lanark into this, but I couldn't ask that of the farm....

No Lanark, perhaps, but the troll-worthy stallion she is mounted on is a delight to ride. He practically seems to anticipate her requests and responds smooth as butter.

She tests him out briefly before they move out, horse and rider getting a feel for each other. She's definitely a competent rider.

Nadeen rides on Snowthorn proudly. She seems unrestrained in her sidhe dom if that can be said.

Sylvi might even be a wee bit jealous of her horse's mane and tail.

Or at least admiring.

She turns to say something to Nadeen...and stops.

Nadeen notices this "Yes, Bridge?" And the sidhe fae on the hunt seems oncne more to be a friend

Linnea also pauses, eyes narrowing.

Sylvi blinks, then shakes her head. "Nothing. Later." A half-grin.

Calanthe was riding along, and seems annoyed at the sudden stop.

A nod and pickinngg up the pace "Onward then, we shall show those hunters of Centnaur flesh da'an's vengeful fist"

Sylvi nods and coaxes her horse to match Nadeen's pace.

It is Linae who notices the trip wire before they close on the hunter's lodge, long and stretched to get many

"Hold." Linnea says... Calanthe takes another step - then Calanthe's horse obeys the Troll and will step no further.

She waves to the Storm, silently, and indicates the trip... trap.

Sylvi reins back as the others slow up. She doesn't whisper, but takes a look at their flanks, and above.

And the grround crew slows...

Calanthe nods to Nadeen, sidling close enough to whisper, "Vespa is swifter than Veritas." Naming the larger hawk on her arm.

A nod and she follows Calanthe's lead, "Vespa... be ready... annnd when you gget there, strike"

The smoke bomb that was provided was just small enough for the kestrel - the bird, not the ship! to carry without affecting her flight... and Vespa intelligent enough to understand how to pull the pin when ready.

"Wire's cut" Wudliggg says sourly, the nocker would rather be with gerd

"Well, disarmed"

Linnea scowls at the wire, and waves for them to move on.

And they move on again. Glass howls .. she found something!

And may have given a position away...

Nadeen releases Vespa "Now"

The kestrel darts forward with surprising speed, looking for an open window. If it does not find one... up to the roof, to seek a chimney!

Sylvi winces as the dog howls.

And a chimney it finds!

Perch, and careful tug of her razer-sharp beak pulls the safety, and the smokebomb drops down the chimney! To land, and spew out rather dangerous looking green-yellow fog...

the results are amazing...

coughing, fury, surprise from within...

ad the strateggy of FLUSHING out hunters appears to be working

alas, one Hunter comes out with a blood red bird of prey of his own, and yells "KILL IT!"

And the larger bird takes off to attack the vespa!

A battle in midair! Size and strength against speed!

Sylvi urges her steed to run down one of the hunters, her spear in hand.

A dark shape in the sky as the Kestrel (capital K) sweeps close to the roof of the cabin.

The Hunter draws a rifle and fires at the oncoming Sylvi! A MORTAL bullet misses by inches!

Briar doesnn't know what's up with glass but the dog is howling furiously at a bush

Briar tugs the half-grown hounddog pup back and sticks her head into the bush to check.

Calanthe looses her eagle own to harry... not the attacking hawk, but the Hawker-Hunter! It claws at his eyes...

Oh, that just pisses Sylvi off. She crouches low over her horse's neck and charges down the hunter, screaming a challenge, and ready to spear him.

Aboard ship, Brekke turns to Dirk. "Send word. It has begun. Then, we attack!"

Briar grabs her quarry by the scruff of his neck and pulls him out, giving him a shake. "WHO GOES THERE?" And looks at what the pooka boy was carrying...

The scroll tells everything, of captured huners, asking for help.. and where the secret door is!